I have my iTunes folder on an networked external drive.

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I have my iTunes folder on an networked external drive.

I have my iTunes folder on an networked external drive. I would like multiple computers with the same apple id to share that folder so i don't have to duplicate and or waste storage on these devices. I can use the external drive with the first computer no problem. when i try to set up the next computer and point itunes to the networked folder it does not seem to recognize that folder. it will allow me to change the location of the library but then itunes just says "connecting to the external drive" and nothing happens.

Has anyone had sucess sharing this way?

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 27, 2014 7:23 PM

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Answer 1

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Limnos

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411,187 points

Jan 27, 2014 8:36 PM in response to Fstange

The iTunes library.itl file cannot be opened by more than one computer at a time. You can set up multiple iTunes folders on each computer but sharing common media but then you may be in the position of trying to keep the libraries synchronised all the time (or not). Either that or quit iTunes before using another computer.

How are you pointing to the library on the external drive. Many people do it the wrong way by changing preferences settings. this only changes where media will be stored from that point on, it does not change the library file used. To do that you start iTunes with the option key depressed and then guide it to the library.itl file on the external. Note, the external has to be on and awake before starting iTunes.

Another thing to do is explore options available through Home Sharing.

iTunes: How to share music and video - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2688 - about Music Sharing and Home Sharing

Home Sharing Support page - http://www.apple.com/support/homesharing/

iTunes: Setting up Home Sharing on your computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4620

see also Music Sharing which is different

Music Sharing - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2688

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Answer 2

Fstange Author

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Jan 28, 2014 5:44 PM in response to Limnos

thank you for your guidance

I am looking through your suggestions

to answer your question i have pointed to the library on the external drive. (so how you said would be the wrong way)

I am working through all the links and find that i dont mind home sharing but it seems that i have to keep the library on a computer and not the external drive (unless i am incorrect)

I would prefer to keep everything on the external drive so everything is in one place and backed up from that place.

i am happy to only use one computer at a time as it seems i would have to.

that said: the itunes library file and the itunes media folder are different?!

I can see that now: when i browse my external drive i do not find a library.itl file but when I use the option/open itunes i see it (i suppose that is on my C drive)

would i take that library.itl file and move it to my external and when i, option/open itunes i would look for that file.

And then once and if i can do that would i have to use (File/Library/organize library) in order to get everything in order and ready to use from here forward?

thank you so much for your help

when i explore my itunes file

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

411,187 points

Jan 28, 2014 7:49 PM in response to Fstange

What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

I have never done this but it might work to copy the iTunes folder on the internal drive to the external drive, then start with the option key held down and tell iTunes to start from the external. In theory I think it should still know the location of the files even though they are not in the correct structure for a self-contained library. If you have sufficient space on the drive you could later consolidate the library so it is all together in the iTunes folder.

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Answer 4

Fstange Author

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Feb 24, 2014 9:08 PM in response to Limnos

It took a while but I had to manually copy my old itunes music, both what i have recored and what i have purchased into one music file. Then as you said i "option started" iTunes. When it asked for my library i brought it to the external networked drive .itl file.

Then for "future file storage" I did the traditional "change the advanced tab location to the same location.

i was able to connect both my computers to the one file.

also as you said i will only run one at a time but it appears to work.

Thank you very much.

Now if i could only do the same with iMovie and iPhoto but they require an Apple journaled drive...

on to the next project.

thanks again

F

Message was edited by: Fstange

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